suggestions for enhancements to webcontrol (not 32)

[bbsux]

In WebControl32, the firmware is user upgradable, because it has more space to implement the code. We maybe use subscription method to provide customer firmware that way. On the 8 bit board, it just don't have that much space. The bootloader will have to have TCP/UDP stack in it, that is like take 40% of the code space away. We don't have much space left to work with, if we take out 40% away, neither PLC or BRE can run at all.

I was thinking that you would actually use a pc to program it using the port with a program like a bios or something. Does the the webcontrol8's CPU support external memory?

there's a arduino comparable unit called the teensy++ (Www.prjc.com), they recently had a kickstarter to put out a new version 3.0 that has the boottloader on a second chip.

I have no idea if this is possible. Just throwing it out there.

 

[CAI_Support]

I was thinking that you would actually use a pc to program it using the port with a program like a bios or something. Does the the webcontrol8's CPU support external memory?

there's a arduino comparable unit called the teensy++ (Www.prjc.com), they recently had a kickstarter to put out a new version 3.0 that has the boottloader on a second chip.

I have no idea if this is possible. Just throwing it out there.

No, actually WebControl factory programming involve four proprietary softwares / procedures to generate the image and load the firmwares.
The current processor does not support external memory. However, WebControl8 is more powerful than arduino board. Microchip does provide bootloader that allowing users to implement the field update firmware. However, to pack so many features into this CPU, we could not use that bootloader. If anybody interested in developing their own arduino kind of software using WebControl board, of couse, they can do it. Microchip tools are free download from Microchip web site. WebControl8 costs less than those network enabled arduino boards.

We are from industrial control and automation industry. In the past, we have used Allen Bradley PLC controllers and other industrial controllers. They are very expensive. Of course they do not have network connection for most of those couple thousand dollar low end units. Thus there was no way for anybody doing firmware update either. WebControl is to provide a low cost and reliable solution for companies making their own products. There are many companies are using them for that purpose.

Thanks to HomeSeer. They started using WebControl for home automation projects. We have seen a lot of home users also use WebControl. We are happy working with everyone on this.

There is no execuse for having bug in software. But all commercial softwares have bug here and there. Our policy is to help customer to work on their new board to work for their project. If you purchased a new board and did not work for you during first 30 days, we will refund or replace it for you, if that was caused by bug, we fix the bug for you. I am happy to report that from 3.2.13 firmware, we have not found known bug. We also from time to time add new features into the product. We do charge a small fee for update firmware from older version to newer version, if the board purchased over 30 days. We hope customers can understand that. To have engineers developing new features do cost money, to have someone to reply email and answering phone calls do cost money. Many customers perfer to be able to get help immediately by paying a small fee.

 

[bbsux]

didn't mean to compare the webcontrol8 (software or hardware wise) to a arduino compatable. I was just pointing out the external memory.

The thing is no matter how good you make the webcontrol8, I'll probably still upgrade to the webcontrol32. It sounds like a a better system all around with plenty of expandability, and exciting new features.

I really do hope Cai considers having some kind of open beta test (I'll even help you test some alpha hardware if you'd like) with people in this forum. Even with NDA's. I'm not in software or hardware, I'm a janitor. I can hardly code plc, but I've beta tested stuff with linksys and a couple of other places before.

This forum seems to be one of the most active communities (and most helpful) I've worked with.

Usually when you ask a question they immedately tell you RTFM -- even if your question revolves around something totally not in the manual (or like arduino can't think automatically in that code,). Here I've had people explain it, help, and offer advice and we even have a company rep to help. This forum rocks!!!!

 

[CAI_Support]

Hi bbsux,

Thanks for your writing. I think Dan did a wonderful job for maintain this forum. Also users like you contribute a lot to the forum.
WebControl8 and 32 are two different products with a lot of similarity. For people want to build an equipment with need less than 8 input and 8 output, WebControl8 will do its job. WebControl32 is still in the development, but it may not have all same functions as WebControl8. For example, the counter and frequency counter may not fit in the 32bit board, because the limitation of internal hardware counters. But it does have more I/O and other functions. Please don't take my comment about user can take WebControl baord to write their own code as offensive. I do think that is an option for people who knows how to write code for microcontrollers. Over the years supporting this product, I saw a lot of very smart people. They can almost figure out everything inside WebControl. If they really want to do that, I am sure the forum will allow them to post here, too.

We will keep your name in the beta consideration list. You do have a lot of knowledge and eager to setup things. Education is not determined by what job you do, but by what you really want to think, learn and put into practice. I think you are a well educated person, like most people on this forum.

 

[bbsux]

Hi bbsux,

Thanks for your writing. I think Dan did a wonderful job for maintain this forum. Also users like you contribute a lot to the forum.
WebControl8 and 32 are two different products with a lot of similarity. For people want to build an equipment with need less than 8 input and 8 output, WebControl8 will do its job. WebControl32 is still in the development, but it may not have all same functions as WebControl8. For example, the counter and frequency counter may not fit in the 32bit board, because the limitation of internal hardware counters. But it does have more I/O and other functions. Please don't take my comment about user can take WebControl baord to write their own code as offensive. I do think that is an option for people who knows how to write code for microcontrollers. Over the years supporting this product, I saw a lot of very smart people. They can almost figure out everything inside WebControl. If they really want to do that, I am sure the forum will allow them to post here, too.

We will keep your name in the beta consideration list. You do have a lot of knowledge and eager to setup things. Education is not determined by what job you do, but by what you really want to think, learn and put into practice. I think you are a well educated person, like most people on this forum.

oh no, I didn't take offense. I didn't want you to either, like I said I'm just throwing out ideas to try and improve things.

I didn't even know the CPU was a 'microchip'. I figured it couldn't be an atmel cause they are way too limited. I thought maybe a lower end arm or something.

what chip is it exactly? (just wondering so I can look at the specs) -- after all I'm not gonna take that heatsink off even if I could figure out a way. You guys must have put some epoxy there or something lol!

 

[Efried]

I would like to see an energy management whicht allows idle mode controlled by one pin and one timer.
Of course some "shields" would be nice which could fit on the connector adding SSR.
Last but not least ladder logic programming capability would be nice. This could be an external software.

 

[CAI_Support]

Hi Efried,

Could you please elaborate what do you mean "energy management which allows idle mode controlled by one pin and one timer" in detail?

 

[bbsux]

cai_support, are you working on a new software release? Or a new hardware test? I'm going to to buy another webcontrol but I might wait if you are going to be coming out with a new firmware.

 

[CAI_Support]

There is not much change lately, other than we are working with Ross for his frequency measurement project. We want to have as accurate frequency measurement as possible, too. Other than that, there is no new code change.

 

[bbsux]

just thought you might have seen if you could implement what we suggested in post 15 and talked about till 25 about the status reporting and orders of them, etc...

 

[CAI_Support]

Thanks for all your suggestions, actually, that is already in the current shipping boards.

 

[CAI_Support]

We did notice the power line noise will cause A/D result fluctuate. By adding a capacitor like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/260824182372
between the temperature or humidity sensor terminal 1 and 3, will add the capacitor to the 5V power line to filter the power line noise. That will be a huge imprevement for the A/D result.

 

[bbsux]

What version is shipping? i have v03.02.13

 

[rossw]

Another suggestion would be "edge detection" mneumonic. I see frequently here discussions and inordinate complexity to detect the start or end of an event. You already have the non-blocking timers on inputs, outputs and vars, so you must be saving some state information. Perhaps some small variation to the existing code could be used for Rising or Falling edge (or simply detecting a change of state and using the logic to work out which way it is??)

tsteq IP1[E] 0 test input1 is first detected going from high to low (falling edge)
tsteq IP3[E] 1 test input 3 is first detected going from low to high (rising edge)

 

[CAI_Support]

3.02.15 is shipping